Seven Mile Beach bomb scare

(CNS): The Cayman Islands emergency services responded to a bomb hoax this morning at the Grand Cayman Beach Suites on the busy West Bay Road following a call to the 911 Emergency Communications Centre from a man who stated that a bomb had been placed in the hotel opposite Deckers restaurant at around 10:25 am.

Police said all the emergency services responded to the scene and hotel management took the decision to evacuate the premises. The area was cordoned off and as a precautionary measure a section of West Bay Road was closed to traffic. The hotel grounds and rooms were searched by police officers and hotel security staff. A further search was carried out by a K9 Unit officer handling a dog trained to locate explosives. The all clear was given at approximately 12:30 pm when the road was re-opened and guests and staff were allowed to return to the complex.

Investigations by the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service (RCIPS) are ongoing to identify the person who called 911 and made the report.

It is almost a year since two men in their 60s were arrested and taken into custody on Cayman Brac following a hoax bomb threat they reportedly made against George Town Police Station. The two hoax calls took place on the morning of Wednesday and Thursday  19 & 20 September 2007 and the men were arrested after the Thursday morning threat.

Following this morning’s threat, Chief Inspector Peter Kennett, who led the operation from the scene, noted the danger of such hoax calls as emergency resources were diverted.

“This is a serious offence which has caused a lot of disruption to holiday makers and emergency services who could have been dealing with a genuine incident,” said Kennett . “We will do all we can to identify this individual and prosecute to the full extent of the law.”

Kennett added that those involved in the incident should be commended. “Hotel staff remained calm and there was no panic on the scene. They did a great job. Hotel Management should be proud of the actions of their staff.”

Anyone with information about crime taking place in the Cayman Islands should contact their local police station or Crime Stoppers on 800-8477 (TIPS). All persons calling crime stoppers remain anonymous, and are eligible for a reward of up to $1000, should their information lead to an arrest or recovery of property/drugs.